Using highly sensitive measurement and analog digital conversion devices it was possible to detect the repassivation transients after particle impingement on aluminium. Simultaneous use of a newly constructed slurry-jet and L-electrodes as targets allowed the highly reproducible detection of single-particle impacts. This, in turn, allowed correlating the charge consumed during repassivation in a potentiostatic experiment with the damage caused. Variation of the experimental geometry allowed tuning the impingement angle to predetermined values. Current transients and the craters resulting from the particle impact were analyzed for impingement angles between 30 degrees and 90 degrees. It was found that both peak current and charge increase with decreasing angle. As a result of the nano-roughness of the impacting zirconia particles used it was possible to ascribe the crater morphologies to the different mechanisms of indentation and scratching. A model that links the normal and lateral components of the kinetic energy to these two wear mechanisms is proposed. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.